UEFA Istanbul Representative Office Inauguration Ceremony (2025)

The event marking the opening of UEFA’s office in Istanbul. On 24 April 2025, a ceremony held at the TFF Levent Campus launched UEFA’s third office outside Europe. The facility was established to enhance institutional coordination between the Turkish Football Federation and UEFA and to support the organization of football events at the regional level, beginning with the UEFA Euro 2032 tournament.

Opening Ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation, 24 April 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Official Opening Program and Speeches

The opening ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation took place on 24 April 2025 at the TFF Levent Campus in Istanbul’s Levent district. The event began at 12:00 and was attended by national and international representatives from football and public institutions. Among those present were President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, and numerous presidents and representatives of football federations from other countries.

Speech by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

In his address at the opening ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the long-standing relationship between Türkiye and UEFA and the major football events hosted under UEFA’s auspices. Recalling that the Turkish Football Federation has been a full member of UEFA since 1962, he stated, “For exactly 63 years we have worked closely in coordination with UEFA.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Opening Ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation, 24 April 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

In his speech, President Erdoğan listed the international tournaments Türkiye has hosted under UEFA’s patronage: the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, the 2009 UEFA Cup Final, the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup, and the 2019 UEFA Super Cup Final. He remarked, “In just two decades, we successfully hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, the UEFA Cup Final in 2009, the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2013, and the UEFA Super Cup Final in 2019.”

President Erdoğan also addressed the recent successes of Turkish football. He noted that the Turkey national team reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 UEFA European Championship and “won the hearts of football fans with the quality of their play.” He added, “In 2025, the Turkey national team has for the first time in its history earned the right to compete in League A of the UEFA Nations League.”

Regarding upcoming events, Erdoğan announced, “We hope to host the finals of the 2026 UEFA Europa League and the 2027 UEFA Europa Conference League. We will jointly organize the 2032 UEFA European Championship in our country with Italy.”

In his assessment of Türkiye’s capacity to host international sporting events, he stated, “Let me say this once again clearly today: As Türkiye, we have more than sufficient capacity to handle any international sporting event, including the Olympics.” He emphasized that this capability is backed by concrete infrastructure investments, saying, “Our bold statements are not based on ambition alone but on the achievements and projects we have delivered to our country over the past 23 years.”

At the conclusion of his speech, Erdoğan evaluated the functional importance of the UEFA Istanbul Representation for Türkiye’s international sports relations, stating, “Through this representation, our football will establish closer contact with UEFA and jointly sign new collaborative projects.” He added, “The representation will also facilitate faster communication and coordination between UEFA and regional federations.”

Speech by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, in his address at the ceremony, referred to the events Türkiye has hosted under UEFA’s umbrella. He said, “With unforgettable UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, the UEFA Cup Final in 2009, and the UEFA Super Cup Final in 2019, Türkiye and Istanbul have consistently delivered world-class tournaments with excellence.”

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin at the Opening Ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation, 24 April 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Ceferin emphasized UEFA’s need for a stronger local presence to ensure the flawless organization of these prestigious tournaments, stating, “We decided to open an office in Istanbul to guarantee the flawless delivery of these prestigious tournaments.” He also noted that the UEFA Istanbul Representation was designed to deepen institutional ties between UEFA and Türkiye.

Closing his remarks, Ceferin expressed deep gratitude to the institutions that contributed to the event, saying, “We are profoundly grateful to your government, to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the Turkish Football Federation and its president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, and to all the support extended to us.”

Speech by TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu

TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, in his address at the ceremony, drew attention to Istanbul’s new administrative status within UEFA and the institutional functions of the representation. He began his speech by noting that the day of the representation’s opening coincided with the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Hacıosmanoğlu stated that the opening of the representation marked a new phase in the relationship between Turkish and European football.

In his assessment of Istanbul, he highlighted the city’s historical heritage and geographical position, saying, “Our Istanbul, uniquely positioned between Asia and Europe and continuously prominent throughout history, will now take on a new and vital mission.”

Hacıosmanoğlu emphasized that the foundation of the relationship with UEFA lies in continuous engagement and noted that the representation would be functional not only for Türkiye but also for enhancing UEFA’s cooperation with regional countries. He underscored the support provided by President Erdoğan, saying, “Our greatest assurance throughout this process has been our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who stands firmly beside sport and athletes.”

At the conclusion of his speech, Hacıosmanoğlu thanked UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and stated that the newly opened representation provides a new communication and organizational infrastructure for Turkish and European football. He emphasized that this step is an extension of Türkiye’s long-term sports policies.

Statements by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, in his address at the ceremony, recalled Türkiye’s recent investments in sports infrastructure. He stated that the country’s facility development initiatives have significantly enhanced its capacity to host international events. Summarizing Türkiye’s progress in sports, he said, “A major revolution is taking place in facility development in Türkiye.”

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak at the Opening Ceremony of the UEFA Istanbul Representation, 24 April 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Minister Bak linked the establishment of the UEFA Istanbul Representation to this infrastructure capacity, stating that the opening of the office will provide institutional support to Türkiye’s activities under UEFA. He also assessed that this structure will play an effective role in future collaborations with UEFA.

Gala Dinner Event (23 April 2025)

One day before the official opening ceremony, on 23 April 2025, a gala dinner was held in Istanbul. The event coincided with National Sovereignty and Children’s Day and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The dinner took place at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, with guests seated at 19:00.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin at the Gala Dinner, 23 April 2025 – Anadolu Ajansı

Attendees included UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, members of the UEFA Executive Committee, presidents and representatives of UEFA member national federations. Representing the Turkish Football Federation were President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, former presidents Nihat Özdemir and Servet Yardımcı, Honorary President Şenes Erzik, as well as the presidents of the associations of clubs in the Trendyol Süper Lig, 1st League, 2nd League, and 3rd League.

Managers, head coaches, and former Ministers of Youth and Sports from Turkish clubs Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Başakşehir attended the event. Technical directors of the Turkey women’s national football team, Necla Güngör Kıragası, and the Turkey men’s national football team, Vincenzo Montella, were also present among the coaching delegation.

In his speech at the event, TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu addressed the invited institutions and individuals, saying, “Tomorrow we will implement an important collaboration for European and Turkish football.” At the beginning of his remarks, he referenced the earthquake that occurred in Istanbul on the same day, noting that the fact no lives were lost was the only consolation, and added, “May God spare our nation from experiencing such pain again.”

Function and Organizational Role of the Representation

The UEFA Istanbul Representation has been structured to provide administrative and technical coordination at the regional level. Within its institutional framework, the center serves as a management hub enabling UEFA to engage directly with surrounding geographic regions. The representation is tasked not only with match organization but also with a broad range of activities including planning, education, youth initiatives, social responsibility projects, and local partnerships.

Activities carried out under the representation are structured around collaboration with local federations, organizational support, and knowledge transfer, in alignment with UEFA’s strategic objectives. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin defined the scope of this center’s activities as, “We are bringing together all our experience, expertise, and best practices in one place.”